The Extraordinary, Remarkable, Uneventful Life of a Baseball and the Legend of Johnny Lund

The Extraordinary, Remarkable, Uneventful Life of a Baseball and the Legend of Johnny Lund Rhett Grametbauer (bio) Did baseball help to win World War II? A fair argument could be made that baseball actually helped save the world. Baseball's connection with the Second World War is largely a story of sacrifice that undeniably permanently intertwines one with the other. In 1941 there was nothing bigger than baseball and there may have never been a bigger year for the sport with Joe DiMaggio hitting safely in 56 straight games and Ted Williams hit .406. That same year Adolf Hitler was invading the Soviet Union in hopes of ending Britain's belief that they could win the war and discourage the United States from entering it. Williams was drafted to serve our country a year removed from the best year of his career and DiMaggio enlisted in 1943. The world and baseball would never be the same. As baseball fans we have become accustomed to hearing the heroic escapades of some of the sport's biggest stars during World War II. But what about the others who gave up everything in the name of freedom? What about the over 2,000 minor league players that were drafted and fought in the same war alongside Williams and DiMaggio? This is the story of how a baseball found me and I found the story of one of those players, Johnny Lund, who—on a cricket field in Melbourne, Australia, in 1942—became a legend and helped baseball save the world. July 4, 1942, Melbourne, Australia. Those quickly became the most captivating words I had ever seen on a baseball. The baseball had taken on a slightly yellowish hue, but the writing looked to be perfectly preserved nearly eighty years after being hastily scribbled on with a definitive purpose. The date and location branded on the baseball in black marker begged any fan of the game or novice of American history to ask the same questions I began asking myself after seeing it in an online auction in Thornleigh, Australia. The title of the lot, World War II Era Hand Signed Baseball, carried more weight than the size, color, and font of the letters. The title conveyed a heaviness and seriousness to an object fondly associated with warm days, sunshine, and fun. The other images of the ball and description only further added to the intrigue surrounding the object of my obsession as a baseball fan. [End Page 69] The auction company's description of the baseball, Dated July 4th 1942, appears to be a presentation ball used in a game held in Melbourne, Australia, ball is a kookaburra brand, in excellent condition with handwritten Bob Adkins All Stars, USA, with various signatures, plus some indistinct writing, Melbourne Australia had eloquently and succinctly captured the eight decades of the history of the baseball with such vagueness and misinformation as if to discourage some from bidding while encouraging others like myself to prove the value of the ball and its worthiness of a place in history. This specific baseball, and the sport of baseball in general, enjoys a prominent role in World War II. Baseball was used by military leaders to improve morale, prepare for the rigors of combat, and raise funds for the war effort by showcasing some of the biggest names in the sport who were also serving their country. President Theodore Roosevelt, through the "Green Light Letter,"1 encouraged Major League Baseball to continue during the war to possibly provide relaxation for American workers whose hard work and dedication were essential to victory for the United States. Even after the war General MacArthur used baseball as a way to rebuild diplomatic relations with Japan. This particular baseball was manufactured in Australia by A. G. Thompson Pty Ltd which later became Kookaburra.2 The company in the early 1900s began producing cricket balls, Australian footballs, and rugby balls. During the Second World War, the factory contributed to the war effort by producing leather-stitched handles for ammunition boxes to support the war effort. In an effort to support the troops when not in the field of battle, the company also produced baseballs and...

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